As mentioned yesterday in my post on “Spoon” by Robert Stone, I’ve read another Nightjar chapbook for #ReadIndies and that’s a new work by M. John Harrison – “English Heritage”. I’ve rambled a lot in the past about MJH’s work as he’s been a favourite of mine since I first read his work in my twenties. I’ve been so happy that his work seems to be reaching such a wide audience lately, and was of course very pleased that another story was coming out via Nightjar. This is another short gem, 12 pages which are just as unsettling as was his previous offering, “Doe Lea“…
Amory, Owen and Max are staying at Swennay, a house belonging to Amory’s aunt, which is on the coast somewhere south of Padstow. Even in the early pages of the story, I was unsettled, as the house seemed somehow sprawling, undefined and a bit, well, *strange*… Amory and Owen are a couple, mismatched, and their stay at the house with Max (an old university friend of Owen’s) seems dogged by uncertainty. As the trio fly kites on the beach, explore the cliffs along the coastline, and tell ghost stories, there appears to be some kind of intruder around. On a trip out exploring a local ‘English heritage’ property, also called Swennay, there’s the impression of reality slipping out of alignment and characters becoming lost in an ordinary everyday setting.
From the very start of this story, it was most recognisably an MJH story and as always with Harrison there is a sense of the all the ordinariness we take for granted disappearing from under our feet and reality being some kind of illusion. There was a sense of unease running through the narrative, and again so much is left to the reader’s imagination which of course is a much more effective way to present a story which unsettles! Hints of the past leeching into the present lurk under the surface and as with “Spoon” from yesterday, I was glad to be reading this in the daylight. I said of “Doe Lea” that I would never get off a train if it stopped there; I’m also quite sure I’ll avoid visiting any property called Swennay…
So another winner from both M. John Harrison and Nightjar Press! Unfortunately this particular chapbook appears to be sold out, but hopefully the story will turn up in another of MJH’s story collections. As I mentioned yesterday, I do recommend Nightjar’s chapbooks and do have a browse through their website and take a chance on an author new to you – you should be in for an unsettling treat! 😀
Calmgrove
Feb 05, 2022 @ 10:55:58
The atmosphere in this, at least the way you describe it, reminds me of Robert Holdstock’s work and the sense of things not being what they appear on the surface. Not an author I’ve tried but certainly one to keep in mind, thanks!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 05, 2022 @ 11:55:07
That’s very much the case – there’s always an elusiveness in his storytelling and things left unsaid and undefinited which really does unsettle in a wonderful way. His writing is varied, from sci fi to more straightforward narratives, but always unique – love his work!
Annabel (AnnaBookBel)
Feb 05, 2022 @ 11:04:23
I’ve been to the website and ordered a couple. Shame the Harrison is O/S. (Did you know he’s on the Booker judging panel this year?)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 05, 2022 @ 11:53:39
Excellent – I think they’re right up your street, Annabel! It’s a shame MJH is sold out, but the stories do usually turn up in his collections. And yes, I saw he was judging – how exciting!
Margot Kinberg
Feb 05, 2022 @ 13:03:40
Oh, there’s nothing like an unsettling house to add suspense to a story! When it’s done well, houses like that can take on their own personalities. In that sense – though of course in a different way – it reminds me a bit of Poe.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 05, 2022 @ 15:04:01
Yeah, I get what you mean – it’s almost as if the human are interlopers and the houses don’t want them there… 😳
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Feb 05, 2022 @ 13:33:55
My favorite unsettling reads are always heavy on a sense of atmosphere and/or place; my chosen sub-genre being “malevolent houses.” Although Swenney seems a bit more subtle than Shirley Jackson’s Hill House, it sounds like something I’d enjoy. Shame it’s unavailable at Nightjar; I’ll keep its author in mind, however, and look for it elsewhere.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 05, 2022 @ 15:03:10
I hope this will turn up in one of MJH’s collections because it certainly deserves the attention! The Nightjar chapbooks certainly seem to imply rather than hit you head on with horror, which is what I like – the imagination is so much more effective at frightening me as a reader!!
Marcie McCauley
Feb 05, 2022 @ 20:01:27
You’ve described both of these so well: they sound irresistible!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 06, 2022 @ 12:32:57
They *are* rather good! 😀
Julé Cunningham
Feb 06, 2022 @ 00:43:46
How perfect that you were able to enjoy another Harrison story from Nightjar! A good candidate for a spooky film!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 06, 2022 @ 12:32:35
Definitely! I love his writing so was very excited about a new story. Nightjar are definitely one to watch!
heavenali
Feb 06, 2022 @ 10:00:51
Ooh this story sounds excellent. I have visited lots of old houses, but never felt really spooked by any that I can remember. I wonder if Nightjar would ever produce the stories they publish as small pamphlets together in one anthology?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 06, 2022 @ 12:32:01
It really is quite a disconcerting read! I think Nightjar have done anthologies in the past, but not sure if it’s titles they’ve already done as chapbooks or completely new material – but that’s a very good idea!
madamebibilophile
Feb 06, 2022 @ 10:12:01
That sense of ordinariness slipping away is so unnerving! I think Daphne du Maurier does that so well in her short stories. I’ve not read MJH but I’ll look out for his collections.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 06, 2022 @ 12:30:29
It is – there’s a constant feeling of something just out of sight which is very unsettling. I do recommend MJH – a favourite author of mine!
Liz Dexter
Feb 06, 2022 @ 16:37:32
Ooh that does sound very unsettling. There can be something about a house that really does reject certain people and unnerve one (our house has not been keen on some of our workmen in the past!).
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 06, 2022 @ 16:44:32
Yes – houses hold memories and although I’m not religious or superstitious I do tend to give things personalities…
JacquiWine
Feb 07, 2022 @ 09:24:26
I remember your enthusiasm for Harrison from previous posts, and this particular story sounds very good indeed – hugely atmospheric! Like Ali, I am hoping this might turn up in an anthology at some point in the future. If so, I could be tempted to indulge…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 07, 2022 @ 11:48:34
He’s a long-time favourite author of mine so I do love it when these short stories turn up! An anthology of the Nightjar stories would be a wonderful thing – ideal when you want a little frisson…. ;D
cirtnecce
Feb 09, 2022 @ 04:46:01
I have not read Harrison but I think his works may be right up my alley. This particular short story again very unnerving and like you said, should I get hold of it….reading it in the morning for sure!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Feb 09, 2022 @ 11:20:55
He’s a writer who certainly seems to specialise in unsettling his reader – which is wonderful, but definitely for daylight reading!!
#ReadIndies – Three chapbooks from Nightjar Press – Annabookbel
Feb 12, 2022 @ 11:51:26
“The intensity of this unease would increase…” @nightjarpress #johnfoxx #TheLake | Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings
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